Slide fastener stringer



A 0d- 28, 1969 F. GLINDMEYER 3,474,505

SLIDE FASTENER STRINGER Filed Feb. 29, 1968 F IG.2 12

-FIG.5

6) www S. ffmf #+V/ey United States Patent O Int. ci. A44b 19/12 U.S. Cl. Ztl-205.16 10 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A slide fastener stringer in which a substantially helically wound elongated element forming along one side thereof a plurality of coupling heads uniformly spaced in longitudinal direction of the elements from each other and along the opposite sides thereof a plurality of support portions each of which has in longitudinal direction of the elements a width greater than that of the portions of the elements adjacent the support portions and an outer flat surface which abuts against a longitudinal edge of the tape of the Stringer to thus support the elongated element on the one edge of the tape.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a slide fastener Stringer having a row of coupling heads formed along one side of a helically wound elongated element in which the convolutions of the element have a greater pitch angle on the side thereof opposite to the side on which the coupling heads are formed. Slide fastener stringers of the aforementioned kind are known in the art in which the attachment of the elongated helically wound element forming the row of coupling heads to one of the elongated edges of the carrier tape is carried out by means of a rod-shaped insert which extends through the windings of the helically wound element. The aforementioned insert is either sewn to the carrier tape or fastened to the edge thereof by loops respectively extending between successive windings of the helically wound element. The attachment of the helically wound element to the carrier tape by means of an insert extending through the windings of the element has the disadvantage that the windings of the helically wound element have to be stretched in longitudinal direction to a relative great extent and the coupling heads have to be made relatively wide. For this reason, and also due to the `manner of the attachment of the helically wound element to the tape, the coupling heads will during application of stress on a pair of coupled stringers easily be moved out of the closure plane and thereby brought out of engagement with each other.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of slide fastener stringers of the aforementioned kind.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for a slide fastener Stringer of the aforementioned kind in which the windings of the stringer can be held shorter than in such stringers known in the art and in which the individual windings abut tightly against one edge of the carrier tape.

Summary of the invention With these objects in View, the slide fastener stringer according to the present invention mainly comprises an elongated flexible tape having opposite longitudinal edges, an elongated substantially helically wound element forming along one side thereof a plurality of coupling heads uniformly spaced in longitudinal direction of the element from each other and along the opposite sides thereof a 3,474,505 Patented Oct. 28, 1969 plurality of support portions having each in longitudinal direction of the element a width greater than that of the portions of the element adjacent to the support portions and a substantially flat outer surface abutting against one of the longitudinal edges of the tape to thus support the element on the edge, and means for fastening the helically wound element to the tape in the region of the one edge of the latter.

Preferably, the helically wound element has in the region of the support portion a greater pitch angle than in the region of the coupling heads.

The tape may also provide along the one edge thereof with a bead, which may be constituted by a pair of cords arranged along the edge and respectively to opposite side of the tape. In such an arrangement the flat surfaces of the support portions extend preferably laterally beyond the one edge of the tape so as to abut also against portions of the two cords extending along the tape edge.

One or a pair of additional cords may be provided which extend along one of the pair of cords or respectively along the pair of iirst mentioned cords and the additional cord or cords abut against -respective side faces of the support portions.

The means for fastening the helically wound element to the tape are preferably constituted by threads at least one of which passes over successive support portions and through the tape from one to the other side thereof, and these threads serve preferably also to fasten the above mentioned cords and/or additional cords to the tape.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specie embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. l is a side view of the helically wound element according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial end view of the element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a slide fastener Stringer according to the present invention in which the helically wound element as shown in FIGS. 1-3 is connected by sewing to one edge of a carrier tape;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross section through a slide fastener Stringer as shown in FIG. 4, in which a pair of cords are connected to opposite sides and along the one edge of the carrier tape against which the helically wound element abuts; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 5 and showing a pair of additional cords provided on the carrier tape and abutting against side faces of support portions of the helically wound element.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGS. l-3 illustrate an elongated substantially helically wound element 10 forming along one side thereof. shown in FIGS. l and 2 as the upper side, a plurality of coupling heads 12 uniformly spaced in longitudinal direction of the element 10 from each other and adapted to be brought in a known manner in coupling engagement with corresponding coupling heads 12 of a second Stringer, not shown in the drawing. The helically wound element 10 forms along the side thereof opposite to the side on which the coupling heads 12 are formed a plurality of support portions 13 having each, as best shown in FIG. 3, in longitudinal direction of the element 10 a width greater than that of the leg portions 14 of successive convolutions of the helically wound element. As best shown in FIG. 2, each of the support portions 13 has an outer or lower substantially flat surface 1S.

The `attachment of the helically wound element 10 to the carrier tape 17 of the stronger iS best Shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen in this figure, the helically wound element 10 abuts with the widened support portions 13 against one of the longitudinal edges 16 of the carrier tape 17 and is fastened thereto by two threads 18 and 19, one of which, for instance the thread 18 extends over the support portions 13 and through the tape from one side to the other thereof.

Preferably, the tape 17 is provided along the edge 16, against which the support portions 13 of the helically wound element 10 abut, with a bead which is preferably constituted by a pair of cords 20 extending along the edge 16 and to opposite sides of the tape. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the threads 18 and 19 which serve to attach the helically wound element 10 to the tape serve also to fasten the cords 20 to the tape edge portion. The cords 20 thus provide an enlarged abutting surface for the Support portions 13 of the helically wound element 10, and as can be seen from FIG. 5, the support portions 13 extend to opposite sides of the edge 16 of the tape.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the arrangement shown in FIG. in which in addition to the cords 20, two additional cords 21 are provided which respectively abut against side faces of the support portions 13 and which are connected to the tape 17 and to the support portions of the convolutions 11 of the helically wound element by the aforementioned threads 18 and 19.

As best seen in FIG. l, the convolutions 11 of the helically wound element 10 have in the region of the support portions 13 a greater pitch angle or inclination than in the region of the coupling heads 12.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of slide fastener stringers differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a slide fastener Stringer including a helically wound element forming along one Side thereof a plurality of coupling heads and along the opposite Sides thereof a plurality of widened support portions abutting against one edge of the tape, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

For instance the convolutions of the helically wound element may be formed with a uniform pitch or inclination and it iS also possible to fasten the helically wound element by stitches different from those shown in the drawing. In addition, it is also possible to replace the cords by rods of elastically flexible material which may also have a cross-section different from the substantially circular cross-section of the cords shown in the drawing.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will So fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is Set forth in the appended claims:

1. A slide fastener Stringer, comprising, in combination, an elongated flexible tape having opposite longitudinal edges; an elongated substantially helically wound element forming along one side thereof, a plurality of coupling heads uniformly spaced in longitudinal direction o-f said element from each other and along the opposite side thereof a plurality of support portions having each in longitudinal direction of said element a width greater than that of portions of said element adjacent to said support portions and a substantially fiat outer surface abutting against one of the longitudinal edges of the tape to support said element on said edge; and means for fastening said helically wound element to said tape in the region of said one edge of the latter.

2. A slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 1, wherein said helically wound element has in the region of said support portions a greater pitch angle than in the region of said coupling heads.

3. A slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim l, wherein said tape is provided along said one edge thereof with a bead.

4. A slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 3, wherein said bead comprises a pair of cords arranged along said edge and respectively to opposite sides of said tape.

5. A slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 4, wherein said at surface of each support portion extends laterally beyond said one edge of said tape.

6. A slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 4, and including at least one additional cord extending along one of said pair of said cords and abutting against a side face of each of said support portions.

7. A Slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 4, and including a pair of additional cords respectively extending along said pair of cords, and respectively abutting against opposite Side faces of Said Support portions.

8. A Slide fastener Stringer as dened in claim 1, wherein said means for fastening Said helically wound element to said tape are constituted by threads at least one of which passes over Said support portions and through the tape from one Side to the other Side thereof.

9. A Slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for fastening said helically wound element to Said tape are constitued by threads at least one of which passes over said support portions and through the tape from one to the other Side thereof, Said threads being arranged to fasten also said pair of cords to Said tape.

10. A slide fastener Stringer as defined in claim 7, wherein said means for fastening said helically wound element to said tape are constituted by threads at least one of which passes over said support portions and through the tape from one to the other side thereof, Said threads being arranged to fasten also Said pair of cords, and Said pair of additional cords to said tape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,412,438 11/1968 Sim. 2,909,824 10/1959 Burbank.

FOREIGN PATENTS 11/1961 France. 

